Russian warships seek shelter from storm in English Channel
| Publisher | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty |
| Publication Date | 28 November 2014 |
| Cite as | Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, Russian warships seek shelter from storm in English Channel, 28 November 2014, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/54be127415.html [accessed 22 May 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
November 28, 2014
A group of four Russian vessels that had entered the English Channel have anchored off the northwestern coast of France.
The Russian Northern Fleet said a storm forced the detachment, led by the Severomorsk destroyer and the Alexander Otrakovsky amphibious landing ship, to take shelter at the Bay of the River Seine.
During its stay, it added, the flotilla will perform exercises on "combating infiltrating submarine forces."
NATO and the French navy said the ships were not in the Channel to conduct military exercises, but that weather conditions forced the flotilla to find a safe harbor.
A spokeswoman for German Chancellor Angela Merkel said the transit of the Russian ships "even in international waters, is not really a sign of de-escalation."
NATO has reported increased incursions by Russian military aircraft following months of tension over Ukraine.
Based on reporting by AP and AFP
Link to original story on RFE/RL website
